HC Deb 12 August 1881 vol 264 cc1725-7
MR. GLADSTONE

said, he thought it right, looking at the state of the Business of the House, that the Government should inform Members as well as they could what course they intended to take. It was understood that the discussion upon the Motion of the hon. Member for the Tower Hamlets (Mr. Ritchie) with respect to Commercial Treaties would occupy a very large part of the evening; and if they could get into Supply by 11 o'clock, they proposed to go on with the Navy Estimates and with other Estimates—that was to say, with the Vote for the Transvaal, and the remaining Votes of Class IV., the Post Office Estimates, and the Supplementary Estimates. If they could not get into Supply by 11 o'clock, they wished to make progress with the Orders of the Day. Then, to-morrow, it was understood that they would take the Lords' Amendments to the Irish Land Bill, whatever they might be. There was no means of knowing whether their consideration was likely to last for any length of time; but if they should be disposed of by 2 o'clock, they proposed then to go on with the Navy Estimates. But if those Amendments were not disposed of by 2 o'clock, they would proceed with the other Estimates, including the Transvaal Vote, but not including the Irish Estimates, which were the subject of a special arrangement. If there was time, they wished to go forward with the Orders of the Day; but that would be a matter for the convenience of the House.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

asked when the Navy Estimates would be brought on, if they were not proceeded with that evening or to-morrow?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, it was difficult at the present moment to answer that Question. It would depend upon the situation and circumstances of the House.

MR. W. H. SMITH

In any case, the Navy Estimates will not be taken to-night?

MR. GLADSTONE

No.

MR. MAGNIAC

said, it would be almost impossible to discuss the Post Office Votes without having in hand the Annual Report of the Department.

MR. FAWCETT

said, the Report had been out of his hands more than a week, and he had trusted that the printers would have it ready to-morrow. Yesterday they told him it would be impossible to get it ready for to-morrow, although it was a very short Report. They assured him it would be in the hands of Members on Tuesday morning.

MR. MAGNIAC

said, the Post Office Vote should be postponed until the Report was in the Sands of Members.

MR. E. N. FOWLER

asked the Prime Minister whether he had any idea when the Indian Budget would be brought forward?

MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY

asked when the Irish Votes would be brought forward?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, the Irish Votes would be proceeded with after the Navy Estimates. With regard to the Indian Budget, his noble Friend's intention was to bring it forward on the first day after the close of Supply.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

asked whether the Sitting to-morrow would be prolonged beyond the usual hour, and whether it was understood that no other Business than Government Business would be taken to-morrow?

MR. GLADSTONE

thought that tomorrow no other Business would be taken than Government Business. The Sitting to-morrow would probably not be prolonged beyond 6 or 7 o'clock. He could not say at what particular time, the Sitting would terminate.

CAPTAIN AYLMER

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements would be made next Session for bringing forward the Estimates and the Indian Budget at an earlier period than that at which they were generally considered?

MR. GLADSTONE

said, that that would form part of the question which the Government would next Session consider with regard to the Business of the House.